Thermoelectric safety device



' fuel to the burner.

Patented Mar. 27, 19 45 I 2,372,506 THERMOELECTRIC SAFETY nnvrcn HaroldA. Mantz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty companyMiiwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application June24, 1939, Serial No. 280,921.- Divided and this application Novem: ber10, 1941, Serial N0. 418,443

8 Claims.

This invention relates to thermoelectric safety devices for heating andother apparatus, and has particular relation to an improved thermocoupleThe side of the valve body I opposite the plug or capmember 22 has anopening 24 exor thermoelectric generator and pilot burner for devices ofthe character set forth.

The present application is a division of my .copending applicationSerial No. 280,921, filed June 24, 1939.

One of the mainobjects of the present invention is to provide animproved form of combined thermocouple or thermoelectric generator andpilot burner which is eflective and reliable in operation and, at thesame time, is simple and compact in construction and relativelyinexpensive to build, assemble, and install; also an improved leadconnection arrangement for the thermocouple.

. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an axial section through a thermoelectric valve showing athermocouple and pilot burner embodyingthe present invention appliedthereto; and

Figure 2 is a side view of the thermoelectric valve and thermocouple andpilot burner shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, the device selected for illustration comprisesa, valve body In having a fuel inlet II and a fuel outlet l2 which aretapped internally to receive the inlet and outlet pipe sections of thefuelsupply pipe leading to the main burner (not shown). The valve bodyl0 has an internal wall or partition [3 which has a valve opening Ithrough which communication is adapted to be efiected between the inletchamber l5 which is in communication with the inlet l l, and the outletchamber l6 which is in communication with the outlet l2. The valveopening I 4 is surrounded bya valve seat I8.

Communication between the inlet chamber l5 and the outlet chamber itthrough the valve opening I 4 is controlled by a valve disc 20. The

- valv disc 20 is adapted to seat against the valve seat is to closecommunication between chambers I 5 and IB and thereby to shut ofi thefuel supply to the main bumer. Movement of the valve disc 20 away fromthe valve seat Hi to open position, as shown, sets up The valve disc 20may have a valve disc gasket or yielding seating member (not shown)suitably secured thereto for yielding seating engagement with the seat3, although this may vary- A plug or cap member 22 is detachablysecured, for example, by threaded engagement, as shown, to the valvebody I lJ-in alignment with the valve 20,.and a valve closing andarmature retracting spring 23 is interposed between the valve disc 20and the cap member 22.

the desired supply of tending therethrough also in alignment with theaxis of the valve 28, and secured in this opening 24, for example, bythreaded engagement therein, as shown, is a post 25 formed of metal orother suitable material, which post 25 has an opening 26 extendingaxially therethrough. A frame 28, formed of metal or other suitablematerial, has an inner wall 29 disposed radially of the post 25 andclamped in place. to the valve body ill, for example, byeengagement ofthe shoulder 30 on the plug 25 therewith, as shown. The frame 28 has anannular wall 32 integral with the wall 29.

Either the outer end of the post 25 or the annular wall 32, or both, andpreferably at least the outer end of the post 25, constitutes a magnetframe or core for the electromagnet. The

electromagnet coil means is shown in the form of a pair of ribbon-likeconductors surrounding or coiled at 36 about the post 25 and disposedterminals 38 from the frame 28 adjacent the opening 40, and the innerterminals of the coils 36 are connected together by suitabl conductormeans or grounded, for example, through the post 25 to connect the coils36 in series circuit relation.

The armature is disposed externally of the 'valve body and on the sideof the electromagnet 'oppositethe side on which the valve or controlmember 20 is disposed. The armature, which is shown as of disc-like formand as secured to the outer end of a recip'rocatory armature and valvestem 46, is adapted to be held attracted to the magnet frame of theelectromagnet when the electromagnet is energized by the heat of thepilot burner on the thermocouple. The attachment of the armature tothestem 46 may, if desired; be of a character -to permit someselfaccommodation of the armature to the polemeans of the magnet framewhen the armature is in attracted position.

The stem 46 extends inwardly for reciprocatory movement through theopening 26 in the post 25'. and its inner end engages at 48 axiallyin arecess in the valve disc 20. A-reset button 50 may be secured upon theouter end of the stem 46. The opening 26 may, of course, be sealed, assuitable or desired, against leakage of the gas or other fuel outthrough the opening 26 along the stem nection to the "II, and when ismounted, for instance, by threaded engagement at 62 upon the outer endof the tube 53 which supplies fuel to the pilot humor. The opposite endof the pilot supply tube 63 is connected to the fuel through connectionat 64 to the outlet chamber of the valve body l0. Ametering screw may beprovided at 65 for metering the supply of fuel for the pilot burner.

If, because of the greater amount of fuel outlet opening at the mainburner, the pilot supply contube 63, at 64, does not supply the supplyline, for example,.

- shutting off the supply desired pilot supply of fuel to the pilotburner from the outlet chamber l8 when the valve 2. is open,.the pilotsupply tube may be connected to the fuel supply line in any'othersuitabl or preferred manner to secure the desired pilot supply of fuelto the pilot burner when the valve 20 is open. For example, the tube 83may be connected to the fuel supply line anterior of the valve body ill,or it may be connected to the valve body in communication with the inletchamber I5, or any other suitable connection may be provided forsupplying fuel to the pilot supply'tube 63.

The thermocouple comprises a pair of thermocouple elements 68 and formedof any desired dissimilar metallic materials. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention, the thermocouple elements 68 and 69 arein-the form of flat strips secured by screws I0 to the insulating baseof the pilot burner 60. The outer ends of the thermocouple elements 68and 6! are bowed inwardly at 12, and terminate in parallel for example,through a suitable intervening element I! to form a "hot junction at 18in ali nment with the opening or port 18 through the pilot. head '80.Theintervening element is referably of good heat conveying or heatconducting char'acteristics adapted for picking up and conveying theheat to the junction I! when the pilot light is burning. and heat tocool the junction 15 when the pilot flame is extinguished.

Metallic lead conductors as shown in the form of flat strips or ofribbon-like form, although this may vary within the scope tion, areconnected at their inner ends at I to the terminals 30 of the respectivecoil portions 36. The outer ends of the lead conductors ll are 82 to theinner ends thermocouple elements it and connected through terminals ofthe respective 69, "cold thermocouple junctions being provided injuxtaposition to the connections between the conductors ti andtherespectlve thermocouple elements. a

where the fuel is of a character, such as gas, requiring admixture ofair therewith, the air necessary to provide the desired gaseous mixtureis supplied in any suitable 'or preferred manner. When thevalve 20 isopenor, where the pilot burner connection is anterior to this valve,then open or closed, the pilot supply when the valve is mixture or otherfuel of. the resulting gaseous through the through the ort ignited,forms the pilot name as uponthe thermal junction 1 which impingesthermoelectric and-heats the same .to set up a current. H

of the prwent inventube '3 t0 the pilot vention, closing of tips Hjoined. 7

asvas'oe heat of which the thermal junction 16 is subject isextinguished, the electromagnet ls deenergized, or at least the holdingaction thereof ceases to be suilicient to hold the armature .liattracted to the magnet frame, as shown, and the spring 23 compels thevalve 2! to closed position, thereby of fuel to the main burner throughthe valve opening of the valve 20 to cloud position, the outer end ofthe stem 4|, by its attachment to the armature 45, moves the armature IIto retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment of the inth e valve2| also shuts oil the supply of fuel to the pilot burner. The particularshowing in this 'pect is more or less diagram- .matic and only forurposes of illustration.

when it is desired to reset the device, the reset button II is pressedinwardly. This presses the armature to attracted position andsimultaneously presses the valve 20 to open position against the tensionof the spring 23. A pilot supply or fuel is thereupon set-up to thepilot burner which is creates a thermoelectric current in the coil means3i. This energizes the electromagnet and causes the armature to be heldpositively against the magnet frame or in attracted position and thevalve II in open position.

Upon extlnguishment of the pilot time the electromagnet is deenergized,or at least the holding action' thereof ceases to be sufllclent to holdthe armature in attracted position and, as previonsly pointed out, thespring 2 3 compels the /valve 2! to closed position, thereby shuttingoiffor dissipating the v along the outer 'means and constitutin {saidthermocouple elements each other outwardly the supply of fuel and,armature is actuated to retracted position.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

l. A thermocouple and pllot'devlce comprising 7 aninsulating pilot headhavin a base and a tip extending from said base, an opening extendingthrough said tip through which fuel is discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head having an opening for the admission of air. meansadjustable on the tip of said pilot head having said head foradiustlng'the air inlet, and a pair of thermocouple elements secured inspaced relation to the base of said head and extending exsides of saidadjusting guard means therefor, being bowed toward of said headandioined at their outer ends to form a thermal Junction Boxsubstantially in alignment with said port.

2. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising ,a refractory insulatingpllot'head having an enlargedbase portion and provided with a portthrough which fuel is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel su plyPipe with said port in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided with portmeans adjacent the base portion of the pilot head for the II. In themovement the heat of the pilot flame upon. the thermal junction II ofthe thermocouplev at the same time, the I the pilot flame maintained atsaid tip part, said.

thermocouple elements extending externally along outer sides of said airadjusting nut and constituting guard means therefor.

3. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising a refractory insulatingpilot head having an enlarged base portion and provided with a I portthrough which fuel is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel supplypipe with saidport in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided with portmeans adjacent the base portion of the pilot head for the admission ofair, a nut adjustable on said tip part for adjusting said air admissionport means, and a pair of thermocouple elements securedin spacedrelation to oppositesides of said base portion and brought substantiallytogether and joined at their outer ends to form a thermojunctionpositioned outwardly of said tip part to be heated by the pilot flamemaintained at said tip part, the reduced size of said tip part beingsuflicient to permit adjustment of said nut between said thermocoupleelements, said thermocouple elements extending externally along outersides of said air adjusting nut and constituting guard means therefor.

4. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising a refractory insulatingpilot head having an enlarged base portion and provided with a portthrough which fuel is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel supplypipe with said port in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided with portmeans adjacent the base portion of the-pilot head for the admission ofair, a nut adjustable on said tip part for adjusting said air admissionport means, a pair of thermocouple elements secured in spaced relationto opposite sides brought substantiall together and joined at theirouter ends to form a thermojunction positioned outwardly of said tippart to be heated by the pilot flame maintained at said tip part, and apair of lead conductors secured to opposite sides of said pilot head,one in contact with each of said thermocouple elements, saidthermocouple elements extending externally along outer sides of said airadjusting nut and constituting guard means therefor.

5. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising a refractory insulatingpilot head having an enlarged base portion and provided with a portthrough which fuel .is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel supplypipe with said port in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided with portmeans adjacent the base portion of the pilot head for the admission ofair, a nut adjustabl on said tip part for adjusting said air admissionport means, a pair of thermocouple elements secured in spaced relationto opposite sides of said base Portion and brought substantiallytogether and joined at their outer ends to form a thermojunctionpositioned of said base portion and v opposite sides of said baseportion spaced apart 7 pilot flame maintained at said tip part, thereduced size of said tip part being suiiicient to permit adjustment ofsaid nut between said thermocouple elements, a pair of lead conductorssecured to opposite sides of said pilot head, one in contact with eachof said thermocouple elements, and an intervening element securedbetween the joined ends of said thermocouple elements at thethermojunction heated by the pilot flame, said thermocouple elementsextending externally along outer sides of said air adjusting nut andconstituting guard means therefor.

6. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising a refractory insulatingpilot head having an en'- larged base portion and provided with a portthrough which fuel is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilotflame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel supplypipe with said port in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided with portmeans adjacent the base portion of the pilot head for the admission ofair, a nut threaded on said tip part for adjusting said air admissionpart means and a pair of thermocouple elements secured to and insulatedfrom each other thereby and brought substantially together and joined attheir outer ends to form a thermojunction positioned outwardly of saidtip part to be heated by the pilot flame maintained at said tip part,the reduced size of said tip'part being suflicient to permit adjustmentof said nut between said thermocouple elements.

7. A thermocouple and pilot burner comprising a refractory insulatingpilot head having an enlarged base portion and provided with a portthrough which fuel'is adapted to be discharged to maintain a pilot'flame, said pilot head being adapted for attachment to a fuel supplypipe with said port in communication therewith, said pilot head having areduced tip part in communication with said port and provided withportmeans adjacent the base portion of the pilot head for the admission ofair, a pair of thermocouple elements secured to opposite sides of saidbase portion spaced apart and insulated from each other thereby andbrought substantially together and joined at their outer ends to form athermojunction positioned outwardly of said tip part to be heatedthermocouple elements, and an intervening element securedbetween thejoined ends of said thermocouple elements at the thermojunction heatedby the pilot flame.

8. A thermocouple and pilot device comprisinga pair of thermocoupleelements each of flat ribhon-like form having angular tips joined toform athermojunction, said thermocouple elements be.

ing bowed apart inwardly of said tips to form a space therebetween, aninsulating pilot tip posi tioned between the spaced apart ends of saidthermocouple elements and having an outlet directed toward saidthermojunction, and means passing laterally through the spaced apartends of said thermocouple elements and into the base outwardly of saidtip part to be heated by the is 'of the tip for securing said tip inplace between said thermocouple elements.

v HAROLD A sum.

